Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 2024, Publicación: 113ª reunión CIT (2025)

Guyana

Convenio sobre la protección contra las radiaciones, 1960 (núm. 115) (Ratificación : 1966)
Convenio sobre el benceno, 1971 (núm. 136) (Ratificación : 1983)
Convenio sobre el cáncer profesional, 1974 (núm. 139) (Ratificación : 1983)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified occupational safety and health (OSH) Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 115 (radiation protection), 136 (benzene) and 139 (occupational cancer) together.

Protection from specific risks

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115)

Articles 1, 3(1), 6 and 8 of the Convention. Legislation. Maximum permissible doses. Consultation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the adoption of the Radiation Safety and Security Act (No. 10 of 2023). The Committee notes the new Act establishes the Radiation Safety and Security Board for the purpose of exercising regulatory control over the peaceful uses of ionizing radiation and contains obligations for licensees. Section 42 of the Act authorizes the Board, in consultation with the Minister, to enact regulations aimed at protecting individuals from injury due to ionizing radiation exposure, including setting dose limits that must not be exceeded during activities under regulatory oversight. Additionally, section 42(2) states that dose limits should align with recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure effective protection of workers, as it relates to their health and safety, against ionizing radiations. It requests the Government to adopt the necessary regulations in order to ensure that maximum permissible doses or amounts are determined without delay, for both workers directly engaged in radiation work and for those who remain or pass where they may be exposed to ionizing radiations. Finally, it requests the Government to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of employers and workers on the Radiation Safety and Security Act and any subsequent regulations.

Article 12. Medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures in order to ensure medical examinations are prescribed and provided in practice to all workers directly engaged in radiation work, including examinations prior to or shortly after taking up such work, and their subsequent examination at appropriate intervals.

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136)

Legislation. The Committee notes that pursuant to the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act, the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) manages a registration mechanism for pesticides and toxic chemicals manufactured in the country or that are imported. The Committee notes that the Board’s list of prohibited pesticides and toxic chemicals includes several benzene derivatives. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that a review of the OSH Act and existing regulations is currently under way, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework that addresses all OSH-related matters. The Committee further notes the Government’s request for technical assistance to align national legislation and practices with the Convention’s requirements. The Committee takes note of this request for technical assistance and expresses the hope that this assistance will be provided in the near future. It also requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the reviewed regulatory framework gives full effect to the Convention and that the Committee’s comments on legislative matters are taken into account in the context of the review.

Article 4 of the Convention. Prohibition of the use of benzene in certain work processes. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the monitoring of benzene and substances containing benzene is ensured by the PTCCB. It further notes the Government’s indication regarding the use of benzene and its derivatives permitted in the country, and an indication of the products monitored by the PTCCB in that respect. The Committee requests the Government to take all the necessary steps, including in the context of the ongoing legislative review, to ensure that the use of benzene and products containing benzene is prohibited in certain work processes and that this prohibition includes at least the use of benzene and products containing benzene as a solvent or diluent, except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work. It requests the Government to provide information on any developments in this regard.

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139)

Legislation. Further to its previous comment and noting the ongoing legislative review, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the reviewed regulatory framework gives full effect to the Convention and that the Committee’s comments on legislative matters are taken into account in the context of the review.

Article 3 of the Convention. Exposure limits and protective measures. Records of exposure of workers at risk. In response to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that employers are mandated to ensure that safety data sheets and labels are accessible to all employees and that all relevant personal protective equipment, as specified on the product labels, is provided to workers handling these substances. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to establish an appropriate system of records at the national level. It also requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken, including in the context of the legislative review, to protect workers against the risks of exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.